FAQS

Can you really run in these things?

Tens of thousands of people all around the world of all ages use Xero Shoes for running… and walking, hiking, biking, camping, going to the beach, hitting the gym, doing yoga, even running 100-mile ultramarathons. Our former Customer Service Manager, Bill, ran from his house to the bus, from the bus stop to the office, back home, and then around with his dogs… then he does his fun runs on the weekend! He put about 120 miles on his Xero Shoes each week!

How do you run in these huaraches sandals?

Light and easy.

I can’t give you a barefoot running lesson here (for that, see the links on our home page).

But just by wearing them, you’ll find quickly that you don’t want to land hard on your heel as you walk or run in Xero Shoes.

The best advice I can give is: play with your gait and stride, looking for the thing that feels the most comfortable and is the easiest. But, most importantly: TAKE IT EASY at first… remember, Xero Shoes are just like barefoot, only with protection and style. If you’re not used to walking barefoot, that alone could take some time to get used to.

Plus, since you’re not putting as much stress on your skin when you wear huaraches, which means it hurts less, it’s tempting to do too much, too far, too fast at first. I know that no matter what I say you’ll probably overdo it (I did). Besides, how do you know what “too much” is, unless you do too much!?

Well, even though that’s true, I recommend you break into your huaraches SLOWLY. Walk around in them for a while first. Maybe only a half mile or so. When that’s comfortable, extend the time you’re walking and, when you feel ready, try running. If you’re already running a mile a day, try half a mile in these one day and see how you feel. Give yourself a day or two off and then repeat. If that’s not a problem, build up SLOWLY.

I also use the “slap-test.” If my sandals are slapping on the ground when I walk or run, I need to make some kind of change, probably by not reaching my foot out as far, or using better posture, etc.

If you have a headache because you’re hitting yourself on the head with a hammer, wearing gloves won’t stop the pain.

In other words, it’s not just a question of taking off your shoes and experiencing magical healing powers.

Running barefoot, or in running sandals, gives you a lot of feedback about your running form. In short, if it hurts, you’re probably doing something wrong.

If you are willing to listen to that feedback and use it as an opportunity to change the way you run, to adjust your stride, to find a way to move that doesn’t hurt, then there’s a good chance any problems you had that were caused by bad form sure might clear up.

In other words, barefoot and minimalist running could show you how to let go of the hammer.

Being barefoot, or in huaraches, is an opportunity to find a cure, not a cure in and of itself.

Check out this post to read about people who, instead, thought barefoot running was about putting on gloves.

How long will the Xero Shoes huaraches last?

Frankly, we don’t know. We’ve had people put over 10,000 miles on a pair… and they’re still going!

Like any shoe, how long they last depends on your running style. If you use good barefoot technique and are light and easy, without scraping your foot on the ground, you’ll enjoy them for quite a while.

Besides, considering how inexpensive they are compared to big, padded, running shoes, we expect that you’ll be saving a fortune by using Xero Shoes.

How do you tie huaraches?

There are dozens, maybe hundreds, of different ways to tie Xero Shoes, from ultra-simple minimalist, to way-extravagant decorative, to everything in between.

It seems like there’s been more creative ideas about tying these sandals since we started selling them in 2009 than there was in the 14,997 years before that when they were invented

Check out our page of tying ideas and, if you’re experimental and come up with your own, share what you create!

Won’t the knot at the bottom wear out?

Eventually, sure.

But since the knot is kinda flat, and since the rubber is flexible, and since the knot tends to be in between your toes, it’ll last WAY longer than you think.

Many Xero Shoes customers have put thousands of miles on their shoes without wearing out the knot.

And, we give you enough lace that when/if the knot does wear out, you can just pull another inch of lacing through the huaraches sole and make a new one.

You can buy extra laces for just a few dollars.

Doesn’t that string between your toes hurt?

Not at all.

When you first start wearing your huaraches, you’ll notice it somewhat. After all, it is a thing. But very quickly the sensation fades into the background.

Also, you can change the tightness by the way you lace your sandal. If you loosen the heel, your foot moves further back and takes some pressure off the string. Or, obviously, you can loosen that “foot string”, or change the placement of it by tightening/loosening the loop that goes around it.

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Over 35,000 people in 92 countries have made their own sandals in minutes with a DIY Kit made with our exclusive FeelTrue® rubber soles.

Click here for help choosing between 4mm Connect and 6mm Contact.Click here to see how to measure your feet to get the right fit.

Choose between 4mm Connect & 6mm Contact

This video explains the differences between the 4mm Connect and 6mm Contact
The important question is really just: How much barefoot feel do you want?The 4mm Connect is the closest thing you'll get to barefoot, but with a layer of protection. The 6mm Contact still has great ground-feel, but “smooths out the ride” a bit more.Some people prefer the 4mm on trails, because it lets them really grip the rocks and roots… others like the 6mm in that situation because it provides more protection.Similarly, some people like the 4mm on roads because it's really like being barefoot… and others like the 6mm because it's a bit stiffer and, therefore, makes even a smooth surface feel a bit smoother

Get the correct size

This video shows you how to measure your foot:Since many of us wear shoes that are the wrong size, you select your Xero Shoes kit based on the actual length of your foot.The best way measure your foot length is this: Place a piece of paper (newspaper if you have big feet) against a wall, stand on the paper with your heel lightly touching the wall, make a mark in line with the front of your foot (your first or second toe), and then measure the distance from the edge of the paper to that mark. Do not simply step on a ruler to measure since the angle that you'll be looking at rarely gives an accurate measurement.NOTE: The actual sole you'll get is 1/2″ (13mm) bigger than the measurement. If you order, say, the “Up to 10 inch”, the sole you'll receive is 10.5″ long. But, DO NOT order a size smaller than your foot measurement! If your foot is, say, 10 1/4″ order the size for “feet up to 10 1/2 inches”, otherwise you'll end up with the wrong size.

This video explains the differences between the 4mm Connect and 6mm Contact
The important question is really just: How much barefoot feel do you want?The 4mm Connect is the closest thing you'll get to barefoot, but with a layer of protection. The 6mm Contact still has great ground-feel, but “smooths out the ride” a bit more.Some people prefer the 4mm on trails, because it lets them really grip the rocks and roots… others like the 6mm in that situation because it provides more protection.Similarly, some people like the 4mm on roads because it's really like being barefoot… and others like the 6mm because it's a bit stiffer and, therefore, makes even a smooth surface feel a bit smoother